NEWS & UPDATES

September 01, 2017

This Labour Day we celebrate not only the great legacy of the labour movement in British Columbia, and across Canada, but today’s movement that continues to grow and evolve as we stand up for all working people.
Representing members across all sectors of the economy, we welcomed 3,000 workers into our union this past year, growing our membership to over 73,000! And in the last 12 months, we’ve ...

August 31, 2017

Dear Component 1 members,
You and I both know how important issues of recruitment and retention are in Corrections and Sheriffs Services. Closing the pay gap between our ministries and police agencies is the best way to address this.
The Victoria Times Colonist recently published this article on the topic that I want to share with you: Province looks at ways to solve sheriff shortage
Your...

August 30, 2017

The BCGEU applauds housing minister Selina Robinson’s announcement that the new NDP government, in an effort to stabilize rental prices, will look into changing the guidelines that cap the amount by which landlords are allowed to hike rental prices year after year.
The rising cost of housing is having a very real impact on working people in B.C. As housing prices have increased faster than wage...

August 30, 2017

The B.C. Government & Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) commends the report released today by the Office of the Seniors Advocate, Caregivers in Distress: A Growing Problem. This report highlights a worrying trend of increased distress among unpaid caregivers, and makes recommendations to provide them with greater supports as the needs of B.C.'s aging population become increasingly complex. T...

August 25, 2017

Informed, active stewards are the backbone of our union, and elections to choose the stewards in our workplaces are coming up. Becoming a steward is a great way to ensure that everyone at your workplace is treated fairly and that the hard-won improvements in our collective agreements are upheld. Information packets on this year's steward elections will be mailed out to stewards starting aft...

August 24, 2017

To: Area 11 BCGEU Members Re: Labour Day Celebration The Labour Day Organizing Committee and North Central Labour Council has organized a Labour Day celebration and march. Everyone is welcome! Please join the Labour Movement to celebrate Past-Present-Future fighting for the rights of all. Date: Monday, September 4, 2017 Time: 11:00 am March through downtown (start at PG City Hall) 12...

August 23, 2017

Victoria – Federal public service workers are rallying in Esquimalt to highlight the dangers involved in contracting out maintenance in the governments new multi-billion-dollar shipbuilding plans and to call on the government to do more to fix the problem-plagued Phoenix pay system.
The federal government recently awarded an $800-million contract to perform future maintenance and repair work on...

August 23, 2017

It's hard not to think of Joan Gower Gillatt as the first woman of the BCGEU. Not the first woman member, but our union's first woman trailblazer.
Joan passed away on August 10, 2017 in Duncan. She was 93.
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A service will be held for Joan Gower Gillatt on:Friday, August 25, 20171:00 pmDuncan United Church, 246 Ingram Street, Duncan, B.C.
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Joan's was a life of community servic...

August 17, 2017

Correctional Service Canada quietly removed caged-in exercise pens at the isolation unit of a federal prison in Alberta over the weekend. Good. Dismantling the structures, which were better suited to dog kennels than prisons, is the correct decision. Full credit is due to CSC management for making it – with a caveat. Read more...

August 16, 2017

As I read reports and watch coverage of the events unfolding in Charlottesville, it saddens me to see the rise of hateful, intolerant rhetoric in our public discourse. These bigoted beliefs have no place in the just and equitable society that so many BCGEU members fight to achieve every day. Nonetheless, it's inspiring to see so many members of the Charlottesville community and activists acro...

August 14, 2017

The BCGEU Area 01Cross Component Committee invites all BCGEU members and their families to participate in the 29TH Annual Labour Day Event(hosted by the Victoria Labour Council)
Date: Monday, September 4th - 2017Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.Location: On the Lawn of the BC Legislature
Please join us for an afternoon of fun for the whole family!
We will have games, clowns, a bouncy castle an...

August 11, 2017

BC Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) members have reached a tentative agreement with their employer, We Care Home Health Services, a decision that came late last night before a rotating strike was set to begin this morning. After joining the union last July, the BCGEU bargaining committee began negotiations to improve working conditions for the 221 community health workers at the ...

August 11, 2017

August 11, 2017
Casino workers vote overwhelmingly in favour of job action against Great Canadian Casinos
Workers at River Rock Casino this week voted 99.4 per cent in favour of a strike if necessary to back their contract proposals.
In nearly a year of negotiations between the BCGEU and the employer, Great Canadian Casinos, the two sides have failed to achieve a first collective agreement....

August 08, 2017

Following several months of unsuccessful negotiations seeking fair wages and fair scheduling provisions, 221 community support workers will go on strike Friday. The workers, employed by home support agency We Care Home Health Services, will initiate a rotating strike to emphasize the need for a fair contract.
“Community health workers are trained professionals, and the vital work they do must ...

August 08, 2017

The BC Government & Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) welcomes today's announcement by the provincial government to remove tuition fees for Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English Language Learning (ELL) programs in the province.
ABE is the gateway to many other advanced education programs and good jobs, and ELL programs are essential to new Canadians' ability to access employment and educat...

August 08, 2017

The BCGEU provides training to all of its Stewards and Local Executives. Training is essential to you in your role as a steward. You are receiving this notice because you are on our list for those Stewards awaiting your Steward Course.
Paid leaves from work, accommodation, travel and meal expenses, if required, will be paid for by the Union. Lunch will be provided for the days you are in class....